Young Inventor’s Young Inventor’s WorkshopWorkshop

An ETC ProgramAn ETC ProgramOffered byOffered by

Palisades Parent Resource GroupPalisades Parent Resource Group

Sponsored by PALSSponsored by PALS

Today’s Workshop• What is Inventing? • How can we Invent something?

– Find a PROBLEM– Brainstorm for SOLUTIONS– CHOOSE the best solution

• How to Build a MODEL of your INVENTION• Explore some Simple Machines to help with

your MODEL.

Which was INVENTED first?

•Lifesavers•BandAid•Frisbee•Post-It Note

Inventive ProcessFind a

PROBLEM

Think of Lots of IDEAS for Solutions

CHOOSE the best Solution

Build your INVENTION

What is a Problem?

“Whenever there is a gap between where you are nowand where you want to be, and you don’t know how to

find a way across that gap, you have a problem.”

? ? ? ? ?

A Problem is: A situation in need of improvement A goal, intention, or desire A project or task An obstacle to be overcome

How to Find a Problem• What do you like to do?• What do you NOT like to do?• What is hard for you to do?

Think about:• School• Home• Chores

• Sports• Hobbies• Games• Interests

MAPSHow to Think of Lots of Ideas

• MAGNIFY/ MINIFY – Size- Higher? Longer?

Thicker? Smaller? Shorter? • ADAPT

– What else is like this? What does this remind you of? Is my idea really new? What existing ideas can I use e.g. battery.

• PUT TO OTHER USES – New ways to use as is or

modified? Other places to use?

• SUBSTITUTE – What else can be used

instead? Other ingredients? Other power?

How to CHOOSE the best solutionDoes it answer these questions - • Is my IDEA practical?• Can it be made easily?• Is it as simple as possible?• Is it safe?• Can I make it without

spending a lot of money?• Is my IDEA really new?• Will it withstand use, or will

it break easily?